Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani told the Saudi Asharq News outlet that the KRG knows who is behind the drone attacks carried out against the Kurdistan Region since July 14.

“There are investigations going on to find out who precisely is behind the attacks. We have some information, but I would rather wait until the relevant authorities come up with their own conclusions,” Prime Minister Barzani told Sharq. “It’s clear who is behind it, but I would rather not talk about it until the final results of the investigations are out.”

Furthermore, Prime Minister Barzani underlined that the KRG security agencies are cooperating with the U.S.-led anti-ISIS Coalition and the federal government to find out who is behind the attacks. “But we have a pretty good idea. We just don’t want to talk about it until the final results are out.”

Moreover, he added that, while he cannot comment on behalf of the motive of the attackers or the timing of the strikes, “it definitely coincides with the agreements that we signed with U.S. energy companies. Whether this triggered the attack or not, that remains to be seen,” he stated.

On May 19, 2025, a KRG delegation led by Prime Minister Barzani signed two multi-billion-dollar agreements in Washington with U.S. energy firms HKN Energy and WesternZagros.

Prime Minister Barzani also said the KRG is cooperating with the U.S.-led coalition forces. “The Americans are our allies. We are definitely sharing information with them, and they are also welcome to participate in the investigation because some of the fields that were attacked were operated by U.S. companies. So it’s very natural that we have close cooperation with both the U.S. authorities and the federal government.

“We appreciate any help to stop these attacks,” he added.

Around 20 drone strikes were carried out on the Kurdistan Region after July 14, with several damaging energy infrastructure managed by U.S. companies.

In a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani last Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on the Iraqi Prime Minister to stop the recent attacks on energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani added that the Kurdistan Region has always been a relatively safe place in a very turbulent region. “As you’ve seen, there are problems all over the region, but Kurdistan has been safe, and many people from different parts of the region, especially different parts of Iraq, are coming to Kurdistan because they feel safe.”

However, he underlined that doesn’t mean that the threat of ISIS or extremists is over. “No, there are still sleeping cells of ISIS in different parts in the region, not in the Kurdistan Region, but in Iraq and Syria, and they need to be closely monitored.”

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Barzani stated that the KRG is “cooperating with all of our friends to make sure that ISIS doesn’t come back. But there is still a serious threat, and they need to be monitored very closely.”